logo
Buoyant Afg plot Aus downfall

Buoyant Afg plot Aus downfall

Express Tribune28-02-2025

Afghanistan players will be aware that facing world champions Australia will be extremely tough in the must-win game today. PHOTO: AFP
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi on Thursday targeted another big scalp in the form of Australia after knocking England out of the Champions Trophy, with a semi-final spot the prize.
The Champions Trophy debutants sent England crashing out of the 50-over tournament with a thrilling eight-run victory in Lahore on Wednesday.
Afghanistan similarly stunned then holders England at the 2023 World Cup in India.
They play world champions Australia at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Friday in their final group match and must win to reach the last four of the eight-nation tournament.
"Obviously a win like this boosts every team's confidence and strengthens them," Shahidi said after Afghanistan sent England packing.
"Our morale has increased even more."
The skipper added: "The upcoming match will be crucial for both teams in the race for the semi-finals.
"Australia is a tough and good team. I have said this in previous conferences as well -- that we came here to play good cricket.
"We will try to play a positive game. Just like we defeated England today, we hope to beat Australia as well.
"We won't put that pressure on ourselves by thinking too much about the semi-final qualification."
Rain is forecast in Lahore but even a washout will keep Afghanistan in contention to reach the semi-finals, but they will then have to depend on other results or net run-rate.
Australia beat Ashes rivals England by five wickets in their opening match, then their game with South Africa was washed out without a ball being bowled.
Another washout would send the Australians through.
Despite the uncertainty and rain also forcing them to train indoors, Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne said his side were "ready to go".
"I think most of our preparation sort of came before the tournament," he said.
The Afghans will again enjoy strong support in Lahore but Labuschagne said that will only spur on Steve Smith's team.
"We'd love to win tomorrow and silence the crowd and really put that on," said Labuschagne.
Afghanistan, a growing force in white-ball cricket, and Australia have played four ODIs previously with the Australians winning all of them.
At the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan had Australia on the ropes at 91-7 when a cramping Glenn Maxwell hammered an unbeaten 201 to pull off victory in Mumbai.
Afghanistan roared back to beat Australia at last year's T20 World Cup and they reached the semi-finals in a landmark achievement.
The Afghans suffered a 107-run hammering to South Africa in their Champions Trophy opener last week but bounced back to post 325-7 against England.
Ibrahim Zadran smashed 177, the highest individual innings in Champions Trophy history, after Afghanistan chose to bat and were struggling on a precarious 37-3.
In reply, England were all out for 317 to suffer their second straight defeat.
The 23-year-old Zadran, who scored 17 against South Africa, is back in action after a long lay-off following ankle surgery.
"Even though he was away from cricket for six months, it's never easy for a player to return from injury and make such a strong comeback in a high-stakes match," said Shahidi.
"I am extremely happy for him because he is a very talented and hard-working player."
"He's absolutely brilliant. Talented guy," Shahidi said of his man of the match. "When we were three down at the beginning, it was too much pressure. But the partnership me and Ibrahim did was special.
"I think it was one of the best ODI innings I have ever seen."
Afghan fan Shahid Khan, a 20-year-old garment merchant, said: "This win means a lot to us. We will cherish it for a long time. It's a historic victory -- one I will remember for the rest of my life."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pakistan's Wasim Akram praises his statue amid social media flak
Pakistan's Wasim Akram praises his statue amid social media flak

Business Recorder

time25 minutes ago

  • Business Recorder

Pakistan's Wasim Akram praises his statue amid social media flak

KARACHI: Legendary Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram saluted on Thursday the 'effort' of the artist who created a statue of him that has spawned scorn on social media. The statue of Akram – one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers to play the game – was installed outside the southwestern city of Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium in April. Akram is shown bowling wearing the kit of the 1999 World Cup team, when Pakistan were runners-up. Nearby is a statue of a tiger. One fan mocked the statue, saying: 'The only thing that looks real is the ball,' adding the face looked more like Hollywood hero Sylvester Stallone. The affable Akram, however, took to social media to praise the effort. 'Lots of talk about my sculpture being erected at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad. Mine is definitely better than the tiger,' he posted on X. 'It's the idea that matters. Credit to the creators, full marks for the effort and thanks to everyone involved.' Australia has a history of placing statues of their iconic players outside their stadiums, while India unveiled one of master batter Sachin Tendulkar outside a stadium in Mumbai in 2023. Niaz stadium chief Shiraz Leghari told AFP: 'The artist did his best effort, but accepts it doesn't resemble (Akram) a hundred percent.' Akram is one of the country's most celebrated cricketers, having represented Pakistan in 104 Tests and 356 ODIs with 414 and 502 wickets respectively. He was the leading wicket-taker in the 1992 World Cup when Pakistan claimed the trophy.

Senegal stun England to put Tuchel under pressure
Senegal stun England to put Tuchel under pressure

Express Tribune

time12 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Senegal stun England to put Tuchel under pressure

Senegal became the first African side to beat England with a 3-1 win in Nottingham. Photo: AFP England slumped to a 3-1 home friendly defeat by Senegal on Tuesday to ramp up the scrutiny on boss Thomas Tuchel one year out from the World Cup. Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly inflicted England's first ever defeat against African opposition at Nottingham Forest's City Ground after Harry Kane had given the hosts an early lead. Tuchel was scathing in his criticism of his side's dreary display in beating minnows Andorra just 1-0 in World Cup qualifying on Saturday. The German, who was appointed with the task of ending England's wait since 1966 for a major tournament win, suffered his first defeat in four games in charge. "We need to see the players under these kinds of conditions against one of the top 20 teams in the world to be smarter," said Tuchel. "We don't go next week to the World Cup. We go in one year." Tuchel responded by making 10 changes, with Kane the only player to retain his place. It took just seven minutes for the Bayern Munich striker to maintain his record of scoring in every game since Tuchel took charge. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy should have done better when he could only parry Anthony Gordon's shot into the path of Kane, who tapped in his 73rd international goal. Dean Henderson was given a rare chance to impress in the England goal as Jordan Pickford was relegated to the bench. The Crystal Palace stopper made impressive saves from his club team-mate Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye. But he was helpless when Sarr made the most of a lack of concentration from Kyle Walker to meet Nicolas Jackson's cross and fire into the bottom corner. England had never lost to African opposition in 21 previous matches but Senegal had been beaten just once from open play since losing to the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup. "Not good enough. We had moments, but with and without the ball things aren't clicking, we're not finding the right tempo," said Kane. "We've lost that aggressive nature that we had." Diarra was afforded acres of room to run in behind the England defence and slot between the legs of Henderson to put the visitors in front just after the hour mark. Mendy made amends for his role in the opening goal with fine saves to deny Bukayo Saka and Morgan Gibbs-White a swift equaliser. England thought they had levelled late on when Jude Bellingham smashed home from a corner. But the goal was ruled out for a handball by Levi Colwill before the ball broke to the Real Madrid midfielder. Senegal made the most of that reprieve to seal a famous win in stoppage time when Sabaly rounded off a slick counter-attack. Boos rained down from the disgruntled home support to leave Tuchel with plenty to ponder before England are next in action in September.

Brazil, Ecuador book World Cup berths
Brazil, Ecuador book World Cup berths

Express Tribune

time12 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Brazil, Ecuador book World Cup berths

Brazil forward Vinicius Jr celebrates after scoring the goal that fired the five-time world champions into next year's World Cup finals. Photo: AFP Brazil booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America on Tuesday with a lacklustre 1-0 home victory over Paraguay, the first win of Carlo Ancelotti's reign. The five-time world champions — the only team to appear in every edition of the World Cup — punched their ticket to the finals in Canada, the United States and Mexico thanks to Vinicius Jr. The Real Madrid star bundled home from close range in the 44th minute in Sao Paulo after a cross from new Manchester United signing Matheus Cunha. Uruguay's 2-0 win over Venezuela in Montevideo had raised the prospect of qualification for both Brazil and Paraguay at Corinthians Arena. Paraguay were left needing only a point to qualify while Brazil knew they could advance with a win in Ancelotti's second game in charge. In the event it was Brazil who seized the opportunity presented by Venezuela's loss with Vinicius scoring the only goal just before half-time. Brazil had struggled to create many chances up until that point, with Cunha squandering a golden chance in the 35th minute after heading wide from point-blank range. Cunha made up for it with a key part in the goal, capitalising on good work from Raphinha to dart into the box and whip in a low cross for Vinicius, who stabbed home the finish. The win lifted Brazil into third place in the South American standings with 25 points from 16 games, guaranteeing them a top-six finish and an automatic qualifying berth. The defeat leaves Paraguay with 24 points, meaning they need one point to secure their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Ecuador book place Surprise package Ecuador joined Brazil by sealing qualification with a point following a 0-0 draw with Peru in Lima. In other games, Uruguay edged closer to qualification with their win over Venezuela while Chile were eliminated with defeat to Bolivia. Goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta secured all three points for Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay to leave the two-time world champions firmly on course for a place in next year's finals. Like Paraguay, Uruguay need only a point from their final two games to qualify. Venezuela, who are bidding to reach the World Cup for the first time in the nation's history, are seventh with 18 points from 16 games. Argentina, who have already qualified, meanwhile came from behind to frustrate Colombia with a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires. Liverpool star Luis Diaz fired Colombia into the lead with a superb 24th minute goal, and the Colombians were given a further boost midway through the second half when the world champions were reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez's Colombia's hopes of a vital win were dashed nine minutes from time when Thiago Almada weaved into the box and found the target to level. The top six finishers in South America qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the seventh-placed team advancing to an intercontinental playoff. Bolivia defeated Chile 2-0 to end the former South American champions' hopes of qualification. It is the third straight World Cup that Chile have missed out loss continues a dramatic fall from grace for 'La Roja', who won back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store